CNU defeats Ferrum 38-31, leads USA South

Christopher Newport's quarterback surprise and effective rushing game were the difference in a 38-31 win against Ferrum Saturday in an early showdown between conference contenders.

Running back Marcus Morrast, in his first start and extended duty at quarterback, accounted for 190 yards running and passing and five touchdowns.

Morrast and freshman Paul Dukes (132 yards) keyed a rushing attack that totaled 315 yards and contributed to a 10 1/2-minute advantage in time of possession.

Morrast netted 57 yards rushing and two touchdowns. He also completed 6 of 9 passes for 133 yards and three touchdowns, including a 65-yard strike to Rudy Rudolph in the second quarter that gave the Captains the lead for good.

CNU (3-2, 2-0 USA South) won its third consecutive game and is the only unbeaten team in conference play.

The Captains' running game and key third-down conversions built a 38-17 lead early in the fourth quarter and allowed them to withstand a late push by Ferrum.

Quarterback Tim Reynolds (207 yards total offense, 3 TD) and running back Tyler Brubaker (250 yards rushing and receiving) did most of the damage on two fourth-quarter touchdown drives that cut the lead to 38-31.

But after Ferrum's final score at the 3:40 mark, CNU ate up all but the final nine seconds. Two Reynolds incompletions from the Ferrum 33 ended the game. Ferrum (3-2, 1-1 USA South) has lost 11 of 12 to CNU, including the past nine games.

Christopher Newport followed a high-scoring first half with a clock-eating third quarter and an improved defensive showing for a 31-17 lead against Ferrum after three quarters Saturday at Pomoco Stadium.

CNU's Marcus Morrast, making a surprise start at quarterback, ran and passed for four touchdowns in the first half. He directed two possessions in the third quarter that didn't produce points, but consumed more than half of the period.

CNU's defense, meanwhile, permitted Ferrum's offense only two first downs. The Panthers totaled just 34 yards in the third quarter after compiling 242 yards in the first half.

Morrast rushed for 41 yards and one touchdown and completed 5 of 7 passes for 115 yards and three touchdowns in the first half.

Ferrum and its no-huddle offense scored on consecutive drives midway through the second quarter to tie the game at 17. Quarterback Tim Reynolds capped a 75-yard drive with a 1-yard touchdown run to make it 17-10.

The Panthers got the ball back when CNU botched a pooch kickoff. Four plays later, Tyler Brubaker went 15 yards untouched on an option pitch to tie the game.

But on CNU's first play, Morrast connected with Rudy Rudolph streaking down the right sideline for a 65-yard touchdown catch-and-run.

Cornerback Marvin Mills forced a Brubaker fumble on the next possession, and safety Chad Cieslewicz recovered at the Captains' 47. Five plays later, Morrast hit wide-open fullback Zack Stevens for an 18-yard touchdown, his first reception of the season.